We will miss you so much Josie...

Yesterday I had to take Josephine Bonarate Little Empress
to the vet to be helped to the rainbow bridge. Her cyst was so large
it has spread down her arm making her unable to eat and
sh had trouble breathing because it pushed on her lungs, and the tumor
on her back leg was hurting her. I fed her from hand on the last day
and Phippa and Morgan took turns sitting by her while she rested.
It never fails to amaze me the amount of empathy the rats have
for each other and now I have one more precious moment to
add to my memories.
Josie rode to the vet sitting on Kinsey's lap and boggling and chittering
to us. When we got there, the vet gave us a quite room to spend
some time with her. So Josie sat on my lap and licked me while I
groomed her. She boggled some more and foofed and snuggled.
Minutes before the vet came in she moved up my shirt and
looked straight into my eyes and stared as if to say " I love you
Momma, don't be sad. I enjoyed life with you." I would even swear
she teared, but that was probably just me. Then her vet came in
and asked if we were ready. She offered me to stay, but I couldn't.
I gave Josie a kiss and she kissed me and burrowed into her hammock
and we said goodbye.
We all miss the Little Empress and her dumbo ears. The ratlets
keep looking for her. They loved to groom her and snuggle
with "Grammie Josie". Phippa and Morgan seem to have
accepted her absence better. I miss seeing her lumbering around
the condo. Her gait had changed so much these last weeks. But
she had two extra months with the ratlets and she enjoyed
them so much. Her brother Georgie Sr is their Daddy.
Oh Josie I miss your sweet little face and gentle calm nature.

Josie this last July. She got rather camera shy
when her cyst and tumors got large. She was a
vain Little Empress, which was her right.

The Little Empress with her back to the
camera checking out the box, busy busy girl.

Famous for walking right off the ends of the furniture,
Little Empress had very light red eyes and could
not see much at all. But she always had such dignity.

May you be happy over the bridge my
Josephine Bonarate Little Empress.
~January 2005 to December 2006~
Keep them in line up there and wait for me.
~Poi Mom Jane